New Guinea impatiens plant named ‘Fisupnic Tallred’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea  Impatiens  plant named ‘Fisupnic Tallred’, particularly characterized by the combined features of brilliant red (with orange-red tones) flower color; relatively large, round, flat flower shape; intense green foliage; vigorous growth, well-branched, wide and rounded plant habit; early to medium flowering response; and suitable for tubs and as outdoor bedding plants.

Genus and species of the plant claimed: Impatiens hawkeri.

Variety denomination: ‘Fisupnic Tallred’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of NewGuinea Impatiens, botanically known as Impatiens hawkeri, andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Fisupnic Tallred’.

‘Fisupnic Tallred’ is a product of a planned breeding program andoriginated from a hybridization made by the inventor, Birgit C. Hofmann,in a controlled breeding program in Hillscheid, Germany, in the summerof 2000.

The female parent was the variety ‘Fisimp 100’ (unpatented),characterized by red flowers, medium green foliage, and vigorous growthhabit.

The male parent was the variety ‘Fisimp 171’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.13,703), characterized by dark red and reddish-purple flower color, deepgreen foliage, and medium sized plant habit.

‘Fisupnic Tallred’ was discovered and selected as a flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross made by the inventor in April,2001, in a greenhouse in Galdar, Can Canaria, Spain.

The first act of vegetative or asexual reproduction of ‘FisupnicTallred’ was accomplished when cuttings were taken from the initialselection in July, 2001, in a controlled environment in Galdar, GranCanaria, Spain, by, or under the supervision of, Birgit Hofmann.

Horticultural examination of plants grown from these cuttings initiatedin the spring of 2002, in Hillscheid, Germany, and continuingthereafter, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for ‘Fisupnic Tallred’ are firmly fixed and areretained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The newcultivar reproduces true to type.

‘Fisupnic Tallred’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly withvariations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and daylength, without, however, any variation in genotype. The followingobservations, measurements, and comparisons describe plants grown inHillscheid, Federal Republic of Germany, under green-house conditionswhich approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of ‘Fisupnic Tallred’, which in combinationdistinguish this Impatiens as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Brilliant red (with orange-red tones) flower color;    -   2. relatively large, round, flat flower shape;    -   3. intense green foliage;    -   4. vigorous growth, well-branched, wide and rounded plant habit;    -   5. early to medium flowering response; and    -   6. suitable for tubs and as outdoor bedding plants.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similarin comparison to ‘Fisupnic Tallred’ is the patented variety ‘FisnicsRed’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,226), and the parental variety ‘Fisimp171’.

In comparison to ‘Fisnics Red’, ‘Fisupnic Tallred’ has somewhat largerflowers (larger diameter by 5 mm) and a medium red (with red-orangetones)—flower color (RHS 44A to RHS 45A), while ‘Fisnics Red’ has adarker red flower color (RHS 45A to RHS 46B, fading to RHS 46B and RHS46C), slightly deeper green foliage color, larger leaves, and generallytaller plant habit (taller in height by 7.5 cm).

In comparison to the parental variety ‘Fisimp 171’, ‘Fisupnic Tallred’has a medium red (with orange-red tones) flower color (RHS 44A to RHS45A), while ‘Fisimp 171’ has a darker red and somewhat reddish-purpleflower color (RHS 46B and RHS 57B, fading to 57D). ‘Fisupnic Tallred’has a medium green foliage color, not quite as deep green as ‘Fisimp171’, and ‘Fisupnic Tallred’ has mainly green stems, while ‘Fisimp 171’has red-purple branches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical flower and foliagecharacteristics of ‘Fisupnic Tallred’ with colors being as true aspossible with illustrations of this type. The photographic drawing showsa side view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Fisupnic Tallred’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.). The color values weredetermined indoors from plants growing in a greenhouse in May 2003,Hillscheid, Germany. The description is based on plants which wereplanted as rooted cuttings in 12 cm pots in late February 2003, and thengrown in a greenhouse at a minimum temperature of 16° C. Mostobservations and measurements were made after the beginning of floweringin mid May, when the plants were about 12 weeks old.

-   Plant:    -   -   General appearance and form.—Plant habit: Tall, uniformly            mounded, well-branched (self-branching), but only moderately            tight; growth is indeterminate, though weak after begin of            flowering. Height: 20.0 cm. Width: 37.5 cm. Number of            branches: Approximately 12. Internode length: 40-55 mm.            Length of braches: 14-16 cm. Diameter of branches: 6-8 mm.            Stem color: Mainly light green, RHS 145 B-C, brownish at the            nodes. Propagation: Terminal shoot tips for cuttings.            Rooting: Roots initiate in about 18 days at 22° C., from            sticking to transplanting. Cultivation time: To produce a            marketable flowering plant in a 12 cm pot takes about 10            weeks of growing time.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Primarily in whorls.        -   Shape.—Elliptic, with acute base and acute to acuminate tip,            surface somewhat rippled, most often glossy.        -   Margin.—Serrulated, ciliated.        -   Length.—11.3 cm.        -   Width.—4.0 cm.        -   Upper surface, main color.—Deep medium green, no            variegation; Mature leaves RHS 137 A; young leaves between            RHS 141 B and RHS 141 C.        -   Lower surface, main color.—Light green, about RHS 138 B            (both mature and young leaves.        -   Veins on upper surface, color.—Pale green, RHS 145 A.        -   Veins on lower surface, Color.—Pale green, between RHS 145 B            to RHS 145 C.        -   Petiole.—25-30 mm in length, 3 mm in diameter; upper side            color RHS 48B, lower side RHS 145 C.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Flowering response.—9-10 weeks after planting of rooted            cuttings.        -   Flowering season.—Generally from March to October, depending            on light intensity.        -   Flower.—Number of flowers per and arrangement per lateral            branch: Usually 6-8 flowers and flower buds, in various            stages of development. Flowers appear at the upper nodes and            at the terminal node and are positioned above and beyond the            foliage and typically face upward or outward.        -   Flower longevity.—Flowers last about 8 to 9 days on the            plant.        -   Fragrance.—Flowers not fragrant.        -   Form of corolla.—Single-type, 5 petals.        -   Shape of corolla.—Nearly round, with the petals overlapping,            almost flat.        -   Average length.—75 mm.        -   Average width.—72 mm.        -   Shape of petals.—Cordate, at the top end weak to moderate            lobes, top petal 28 mm long, 44 mm wide; lateral petals 32            mm long, 33 mm wide; lower petals 30 mm long, 40 mm wide.        -   Texture.—Smooth, velvety.        -   Aspect.—Flat.        -   Color (general tonality from a distance of three            meters).—Uniform, brilliant red.        -   Color of upper surface.—Red, between RHS 44 A and 45 A            (including eye zone).        -   Color of lower surface.—Orange-red, RHS 43 B.        -   Spur color.—Deep pink, closest to RHS 53 C (red group).        -   Spur shape and size.—Downwardly curved, about 70 mm long, 3            mm in diameter at the flower end.        -   Pedicel color.—Light green, RHS 145 B, partly brownish            infused, RHS 179 B.        -   Pedicel length.—50-55 mm, 2 mm in diameter.        -   Flower bud.—Ovoid shape, 23 mm in length, 15 mm in diameter;            color RHS 45 C.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamens: 5 in number, fused, upper surface color            is RHS 43 C Anthers: Fused, hooded. Pollen: Moderate            (typical), whitish-yellow, about RHS 8 D.        -   Gynoecium.—Style and stigma: Five in number, very short,            near RHS 150 D. Ovary: 5-celled, 5 mm long, surface color            green RHS 137 A.        -   Seed/fruit.—Seed and fruit development have not been            observed.-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility:-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: plants of the new Impatiens    cultivar have not been observed to be resistant or more susceptible    to pathogens and pests common to Impatiens.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named‘Fisupnic Tallred’ as described and illustrated herein.